Routes

Leave SH1 at SH2 turnoff, before Pokeno. Take the SH27 turnoff, before Mangatarata
and continue through Matamata, to join SH1 at Tirau. Then take SH1, through Putaruru, to Tokoroa.
Turn right, onto SH32, which leads through Whakamaru, Tihoi, to Kuratau Junction. Take SH41 through
Tokaanu, then turn right onto SH 47. SH48 turns off this, to Whakapapa, 9kms before National Park.

Okoroire

Te Waihou Walkway

Brilliant 90-min (one way) walkway. Arrange two cars, and start at the top, up Leslie Rd, off
White's Rd, which links SH1 and SH5, 2km north of Putaruru. 65% of NZ's bottled water comes from
these 'Blue Springs', which source the Waihou River. The clarity and colour will amaze you.

Tirau

Corrugated Capital of NZ. Antique and other specialty shops and cafes.

Putaruru

Claimed to be 20 trout fishing streams and rivers within 20km from Putaruru. Timber Museum with café, 2kms east of the town.

Tokoroa

Home to 16,000 people and the Kinleith Paper mill.
'Talking Poles' - 34 tall sculptures, representing aspects of life and culture in the District. Lake Moana Nui, -
small lake, good for a stroll.

Whakamaru

Lake Whakamaru, and the junction of SH 32 and SH30. SH30, eastwards, has outstanding lakefront reserve land, with good picnic spots.

Tihoi/Pureora Forest

Access from Kakaho Road, 5 kms north of Tihoi. This becomes Link Road, not shown on most maps, which gives a through road,
from Tihoi to Pureora, on SH30. One hour Rimu Walk, 5kms in, and thirty minute Totara Walk, close to the Pureora Forest HQ,
are outstanding. Pureora Forest has beautiful bush, even though spoilt in places by old clear felling and pine plantations.

Waihaha River, 5 kms south of Tihoi, has a riverside reserve, and outstanding walkway track, up the beautiful river,
(three hours to DoC Waihaha hut). Pureora Access Road, 3 kms south of Tihoi also gives good access to the Forest, (after
5kms through farm), for an hour or two visit and walk.

Kuratau/Omori/Pukawa

Settlements well worth a leisurely sight-see. With more time, a lake-front walking track links all three.

Tokaanu/Turangi

Trout fishing, of course, in the many places you will know; rafting on the Tongariro River (Atirau Rd, Turangi);
walking tracks (fishing access, also) are on both sides of the Tongariro River, from below the SH1 Bridge, to the
Tongariro National Trout Centre, (which, also, should be visited), 5kms upstream. Wai Maori Rafting and Kayaking,
Tokaanu Village, Tokaanu. Thermal Pools (and walk). Te Porere Redoubt, 15kms south west, on SH47. Lake Rotopounamu
is a beautiful lake, off SH47, 5km south of the SH32 turn-off. 20 minutes to the Lake then 100 minutes to walk 'round
it, if you have the time.

You can download a document file with all these routes for printing/saving.